June 16, 2009

SUMMER UPDATE

Summer is almost here but vacation plans are on hold for the Trace Team!   Yes, we're working very hard wrapping up a huge network re-brand package that will be launching this September.  We're also adding the final touches to an animated online PSA for Worldways Social Marketing and we’re in the middle of another collaboration with our friends at WETV. This time we’re working on some lovely wedding themed graphics - 'tis the season!   Oh, and we're producing some shiny new updates to the Electrolux Virtual Kitchen with our chums at DDB New York.

Check out the current version of the Virtual Kitchen!

Heading off to the Big Apple for Promax/BDA's - hope to see you there!

Trace Out!

May 25, 2009

TRACE + THE HIVE ADVERTISING = WATER CONSERVATION SUCCESS.

Trace just wrapped up a series of spots for The Santa Clara Water Valley District with The Hive Advertising out of San Francisco. The goal was to inform viewers that using a little less every day goes a long way towards conserving water. Employing the playful conventions of old-style newsreels, the spots combine some quirky 50's-esque design elements with a hilarious, oh-so-serious voice over style. The result is a very fun group of spots that get the point across with a few laughs.

April 29, 2009

TRACE WRAPS UP TWO-YEAR LONG PROJECT FOR ELECTROLUX AND DDB NY

A project that was originally scheduled to take just a few months, then snowballed into an exciting two-year venture with DDB NY, has finally wrapped. The Electrolux site is up and running and Trace did a bang-up job of creating the virtual kitchen, virtual laundry room, and virtual cupcake for the site. Hosted by Kelly Ripa, the website takes you on an elaborate journey through the inner workings of Electrolux's sexy appliances. Trace did a live action shoot of numerous kitchen sets built in studio in NYC, then modeled each set in 3D, paying close attention to ensuring the movements of the actual appliances were identical to the animated motion. "Convex stainless steel is pretty much the most challenging thing to light in animation," explains Alex Krivoi, Sr. CG Artist at Trace. "Electrolux, DDB, and everyone here at Trace couldn't be happier with the end results."

Other work Trace is busy with? They're doing a full network rebrand at the moment but are not to breath a word of it until the launch this September, so it's a shhhh until then. Very exciting stuff though. Stay tuned…

Trace is also busy completing projects for The Hive in San Francisco, Leo Burnett in Toronto, WE (Women's Entertainment) in NYC, and Worldways Social Marketing in Denver. Updates to be sent soon...

February 27, 2009

Trace Nabs New Talent

TRACE Pictures is pleased to announce a new addition to their creative team: Motionographer-featured Vancouver Film School grad Yaniv Friedman has joined the busy design and branding firm, Trace Pictures, as full time designer/animator. 

"Our first intro to Yaniv's work was a short film we saw on Motionographer called A Brief Guide About Bridesmaids," explains Daniel Luna, Associate Creative Director at Trace. "His work was unique - we saw some serious talent and we wanted to work with him".

Since then, Trace has hired Yaniv to work freelance on many projects including a pitch for a network re-brand, which Trace was awarded, and an interactive project for New Balance. Yaniv was based on Mexico City at the time and working with him on freelance projects proved to be a smooth and successful process - It was just a matter of time before Yaniv moved to Toronto and joined the Trace team.  

Yaniv explains why he wanted to join the Trace gang full time, "I like working at Trace because I feel there is always room for creative exploration and I get to work with talented people that share the same passion."

Justin Stephenson, Creative Director at Trace, explains Yaniv's unique talents. "Yaniv has a very important and strong combination of skills - he is a thinker and creates good thoughtful design and he's technical with the ability to translate that design into many forms of animation. He is a true generalist. On top of this, he's a great communicator - he's a close listener and is equally able to communicate his vision for a project. He's already been an excellent collaborator for us and we're looking forward to having him here."

December 09, 2008

Winter Update

Lots of news to report!  We are currently working on a wickedly exciting re-design project scheduled to launch in May '09.

Tons of new work to report for Nickelodeon, Gillette, and Electrolux ... to name a few. Take a look here at our new reel.

We also have our live action, CG, and interactive reels posted on our site. Check them out! 

Looking forward to a hoppin' busy 2009!

Best wishes to you and yours.